"burgers" news and stories

For Wendy's, what happens in Vegas will hopefully not stay in Vegas. The company is testing a new burger, named after its founder, the late Dave Thomas, in the gambling capital of the U.S., according to Nation's Restaurant News. What does Dave's Hot 'n' Juicy Cheeseburger have that Wendy's other cheeseburgers don't? It's "a thicker quarter-pound patty," reports NRM, and has "new ingredients, like crinkle-cut pickles on a buttered, toasted bun." Will it come to your town? Depends on if Wendy's gamble pays off.

The new spokesperson for the Dave burger is the original Wendy, Dave's daughter, Wendy Thomas, who's now all

• When it comes to chowder, you need the right clams. And for the right clams, Bostonians depend on this guy.
• If you fork over $20 for a burger, exactly what are you getting? This had better be more than just a prime cut.
• Don't call this classic white, flaky fish, "trash." Hake is good eating, and the best seafood bargain now.
• Want local eggs? How about really, really local eggs? We're talking your backyard and a Rent-a-Coop.

The lines were huge at Friday Night's Blue Moon Burger Bash (part of the annual NYC Wine & Food Festival), held in DUMBO's Tobacco Warehouse, but none as long as the one twisting around and bunching up in front of Bobby Flay's Burger Palace. Flay himself manned the table, passing out hundreds of Santa Fe burgers and hamming it up for the crowds. The hand shaking, photo ops and his Santa Fe burger (topped with poblano chiles, queso and blue-corn tortilla chips) added up to a winning combination for fans -- Flay took home the People's Choice award.

Shake Shack was this year's winner (no big surprise there). Sure, their burgers are incredible, but can we give a shout-out to the shakes and those crinkle fries? The stars of every Burger Bash are the burgers, of course, but sometimes the supporting cast deserves attention too.

Check out our favorite sides of the evening.

Considering that In-N-Out has had a 38-year lead over its rival, it may seem like this burger popularity contest would be an open and shut case. However, if latest reports are to be believed, not only has Five Guys caught up to the older chain but it's poised to to pass it. To conduct some comparative eating of your own, you'll have to fly coast to coast since the chains reside at the opposite ends of the U.S. -- so TravelInsurance.org has created the side-by-side infographic below to entice you on a burger adventure.

In tough times, diners aren't going for the prime rib or petit filet mignon.

Instead, they're looking to get their gourmet beef fix from designer hamburgers -- and restaurants are turning the fast-food sandwich into a "fine dining experience" all over the country, Voice of America News reported.

"I think with the economy the way it is now, honestly, I think there is more room for profit in a burger restaurant than there is in a steak house right now," Greg Cook, head chef at the BLT Mirage in Las Vegas, told VoA News. "I think that the general public can always afford to have a burger."

And they're not the only ones turning to toppings like fried eggs, spicy fresh aïoli and even truffles to take burgers to the next level.